Fishman downplayed the dangers of addiction to opioids.
Marianne Skolek Perez, Investigative Reporter
(MYRTLE BEACH) His “guide” aimed at State Medical Boards around the country became the holy grail to physicians in minimizing the dangers of addiction and death from prescribed opioids such as OxyContin.
Dr. Fishman has been relatively quiet since being named in a now sealed US Senate Finance Committee investigation as well as being sued throughout the country for his part in the opioid epidemic. He is taking time from his legal quandary to speak at the Medical Board of California - Quarterly Meeting - Friday, May 10, 2019. It will be teleconferenced at 9 am west coast time. The call in number is 888-455-9726 - Passcode 8280664. I encourage readers to call in and learn more about Fishman’s creative undertakings to further fuel the opioid epidemic. It may also help him with his ever mounting legal counsel fees.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is prescribed by trained medical personnel as a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). It is an opioid and is addictive, but experts will attest to its redeeming attributes. There has also been profiteering by those who recognize it is a double edged sword that offers the addicted individual treatment — but also provides a lucrative lifestyle for those promoting its use.
In Fishman’s presentation at the California Medical Board on Friday, he will also be addressing the misconceptions of Buprenorphine having limited clinical use. One of the advantages he will discuss is the opioid used to treat addiction is also effective in the treatment of pain.
The State of Colorado is naming Fishman for the loss of life in their state to the opioid epidemic. The complaint states that Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin drafted and sponsored “Responsible Opioid Prescribing”, a clinician guidebook produced by the Federation of State Medical Board (FSMB) and written by Scott M. Fishman, MD. Fishman downplayed the dangers of addiction to opioids. This book became the holy grail to the medical profession in prescribing opioids — minimizing the word “addiction.”
The Colorado lawsuit states “Purdue Pharma provided $900,000 for various FSMB initiatives related to opioids, including $100,000 for the distribution of “Responsible Opioid Prescribing” and $50,000 to fund Scott Fishman, M.D.’s, (a Purdue Key Opinion Leader) production of the book.” Purdue Pharma and Scott Fishman, MD were some of the forerunners in the destruction of lives in the tens of thousands to addiction and death by downplaying the dangers of highly addictive opioids.
I have written over the years about Fishman’s contribution to the opioid epidemic crippling every state in the country and links are provided below.
The California Medical Board in giving Fishman a platform to further an out of control opioid epidemic by promoting Buprenorphine for pain can be compared to calling Norman Bates for room service and hoping you’re not in the shower when he shows up.
Marianne Skolek Perez
Consultant to attorneys on opioid lawsuits filed throughout the country
Investigative Reporter covering the opioid epidemic writing for
Global News Centre, Salem-News.com, Sons of Liberty Media, The Washington Standard and Freedom Outpost
https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Skolek%20Testimony%20073107.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPG1VjD61U&list=UUWoHUEr4ZAbQOfIqtOArjgg&index=6&feature=plcp
908-285-1232 - cell
Global News Centre’s Marianne Skolek, is an Investigative Reporter who focuses on the Prescription Opioid/Heroin Epidemic in the U.S. and Canada. In particular, Marianne has covered the criminal marketing of OxyContin going back to 1999 and continuing to the present.
In 2002, Marianne lost her daughter, Jill to prescribed OxyContin which her physician referred to as “mobility in a bottle.” It was, in fact, death in a bottle. After doing extensive research on the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, Marianne began working with the Department of Justice in Virginia in their criminal investigation into Purdue Pharma and in July 2007 was asked by the U.S. Attorney John Brownlee prosecuting the case to testify against the three CEO’s of Purdue Pharma, Michael Friedman, Paul Goldenheim, MD and Howard Udell, Chief Counsel. The CEO’s pleaded guilty to misleading the medical profession about the dangers of OxyContin. Marianne also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007.
In addition, a dangerous and highly addictive opioid named Zohydro has been approved by the FDA against their Advisory Committee’s advice and Marianne continues to alert Attorneys General, Senators and Congressmen as to the FDA’s irresponsibility in the out of control prescription opioid/heroin epidemic killing and addicting in the tens of thousands each year. Zohydro has been referred to as “heroin in a capsule” and its lowest dosage (10mg) contains twice as much hydrocodone as found in a Vicodin pill. The highest single dose of Zohydro contains as much hydrocodone as 5 to 10 tablets of Vicodin or Lortab. Zohydro mixed with alcohol can be fatal and has no abuse deterrent built in which will make it easy to crush and deliver a fatal dose of the opioid.
Currently Marianne has been instrumental in calling for the termination of Margaret Hamburg, MD, Commissioner of the FDA as well as Bob A. Rappaport, MD and Douglas Throckmorton, MD for their lack of commitment to safeguarding the American public against the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic. Marianne’s research, writing and contact with government agencies and attorneys has also exposed the heavily funded pain foundations set up by the pharmaceutical industry and their paid physician spokespersons who convinced the medical boards in 50 states and Canada that dangerous opioids such as OxyContin were less likely to be addictive. These physicians — in particular Scott Fishman, MD, J. David Haddox, DDS, MD, Perry Fine, MD, Lynn R. Webster, MD, Russell Portenoy, MD also downplayed the risks of addictive opioids in books as authors. These books are still available for sale and promoted to the medical profession.
Here are links to Marianne’s involvement in exposing the national conspiracy of the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic, the FDA, the pharmaceutical industry, their pain foundations and paid physician spokespersons.
http://www.salem-news.com/by_author.php?reporter=Marianne%20Skolek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPG1VjD61U&list=UUWoHUEr4ZAbQOfIqtOArjgg&index=6&feature=plcp
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=855537227796352&set=vb.658186307531446&type=2&theater
